SWTOR test hints at micro-transactions

By Oli Welsh Published 2 October, 2009

"Points" and "game store" mentioned.

Star Wars: The Old Republic blog Darth Hater has noticed language in the terms of service for the game's test registration that might suggest it will support micro-transactions.

The agreement refers to "points" which can be redeemed for items at a "game store". However, it also states that these are non-refundable and have no monetary value, and BioWare reserves the right to add or remove points without warning.

This could mean the points are simply an in-game currency, or it could mean that BioWare retains control over a real-money points system while the game remains in testing.

It's hardly conclusive evidence, although it does bring to mind EA chief John Riccitiello's comment last year that described the Star Wars MMO as a "mid-session", "micro-transaction-based" game. EA later said this was a "misunderstanding".

We would certainly be shocked if EA and LucasArts chose not to charge a subscription for what will certainly be the biggest MMO launch since World of Warcraft. But that doesn't rule out extra evenue streams; Champions Online and EverQuest II, for example, both sell in-game items on top of a monthly subscription.

Picture of Oli.

About Oli Welsh

Oli is Eurogamer's acting deputy editor and reviews editor and likes to take things one word at a time. He is among the best dressed people in South London.

Read more articles from Oli by visiting the Oli Welsh archive page.

You may also like...

Comments (13) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Shikasama #1 2 years ago

    No! Please don't do this to me! Microtransactions are the price-plan of Satan and have no place in vidgeogames.

    Champions Online screwed me over by being a piss poor game, for the love of all things pink and fluffy do not let a decent game screw me over through money grabbing business practices.

  • Crea #2 2 years ago

    People are overly scared of microtransactions, IMO. Most (non-stupid) companies aren't going to nickel-and-dime their customer base, some people really like it and spend loads, some people don't, and the golden rule for the west seems to be 'don't make them game-breaking'.
    Edited by 1 at 02/10/09 @ 09:50

  • Tyranix #3 2 years ago

    It will almost certainly have a cash shop and subscription, like Champions Online. The games industry is far more greedy than it used to be (and who is this published by again?), and most modern western mmos will now come out with this model I fear.

    Personally, cash shops don't bother me as much as most people as in this kind of plan they'll only sell cosmetic things, but it's the greed behind it that really irks me.

  • Shikasama #4 2 years ago

    I do get the 'its only cosmetic things' argument, but why should there be things in the game that I can't get by playing the game? Especially considering that the cosmetic things are generally pretty damn cool. Its that idea of everyone paying a subscription, but the really good stuff being kept aside for those who are gullible enough to pay extra. My subscription pays for that extra content (whatever it may be), so why shouldn't I have access to it?

    This is made all the more important by MMORPGs being such a reward driven genre I think.

    Someone on the SWTOR forum made a point about WoW character changes and stuff being paid for which I can kind of dig. If people want to change their name and whatnot I don't mind. But when it comes to actual items in the game, its just plain wrong.

  • Macross #5 2 years ago

    god i hope they dont have microtransactions for me its either one or the other. if they do they better keep it for pointless gimmicks that occasinonal overpaird wierdos might buy rather than anything that might effect the game.

  • sneetch #6 2 years ago

    We don't know what the subscription model will be like, it could be like Dungeons and Dragons Online where there are two options: you can have free to play with micro-transactions to unlock content or get certain items or you can pay a monthly subscription and not need the micro-transactions. BioWare and EA are pretty savvym I'd say wait and see.

    Oh and thanks so much for your standard "COR BLIMEY!!" idiocy at the start of yet another comments thread, saucymonk, it's not EG without some random numb-nuts trying to get a "first!" post.

  • BigJonno #7 2 years ago

    I have absolutely no problem with microtransactions, as long as I'm not paying a subscription. Having both in the same game is just ridiculous.

  • davisorle #8 2 years ago

    Ok, not only i was disspointed thinking the PvP of this will not sutisfy me as much as im hoping for it and in general for a good MMO but now with them expecting extra income from that shit I wont go for it once i notice the slightest flaw in the game since they wanna fuck with wallets this badly. So monthly check from everyone isnt enough now? wtf is going on, are we trying to rape the genre fully now? ( if this is true that is )

  • eizyark #9 2 years ago

    for the love of God please don't implement micro-transactions... that's just way to much.. i mean, you have to pay a monthly subscription AND have to pay something extra just to make a game enjoyable? now how exactly is that enjoyable? Bioware! i have faith in you! bioware is hands-down on of my all time favorite game company. but it could be that the publisher is brainwashing them to go with this plan.

    now i know it's still to early to tell, it could indeed be just for the cosmetics. if that's the case, then i'm fine with that. for as long as it doesn't break the game, then i'm all good with that. but still, i mean WoW is just basically monthly subscription based and they are doing amazingly well.

    if you have to pay extra just for a better item in-game, then well, i will surely be disappointed. Bioware, don't let all of us down!

  • WinterSnowblind #10 2 years ago

    Nobody said the game has a monthly fee.

    If anything, like others have said, I imagine it will adopt a similar approach as D&D Online, where you can either pay monthly or get a free basic version and have to pay for many of the updates. So let's stop jumping to conclusions before we know how the game works.

    Many people hate micro-transactions, but just as many hate monthly fee's. The logical course of action would be to implement both. Keep everyone happy.

  • Rack #11 2 years ago

    Honestly I hope it's not like DDO, where your monthly fee pays enough to go on one raid a month, and more than that requires MT or severe grinding and power-gaming. While EA aren't Activision these days, I'm really not sure I trust them around Micro Transactions, they have really not been well behaved in this sphere in the past.

  • AphoticCosmos #12 2 years ago

    No.

    I am so hyped for TOR. Please do not fuck it up by making it MT

  • jambo74 #13 2 years ago

    @sneetch

    What is the point in trying to predict the subscriptopn model - that is not what is being talked about here.
    People do not want to know your predictions on what it may be.